Moong Dal Payasam (Kheer) / Pasi Paruppu Payasam

         Moong dal kheer (Payasam) is a lentil based Indian sweet dish / dessert which is prepared with moong dal, jaggery and milk. This kheer is very easy to make, flavorful sweet dish. You can make this kheer either in a pan or pressure cooker, but cooker is the easiest way to make. In this recipe, moong dal is cooked, mashed, combined with jaggery syrup and finally flavored with ghee roasted cashews and cardamom. Serve this kheer either warm or cool. I love the cool kheer.


     Ingredients

            1/4 Cup (heaping) of  Yellow Moong Dal
            1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp of Jaggery
            3/4 Cup of Milk
            1/2 Cup of Water
            2 Tbsp of Dry Coconut Flakes
            1 Cardamom
            2 Tsp of Ghee
            Few Cashews

     Method

• In a pressure cooker, dry roast the moong  dal until you get a nice aroma.
• Add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of milk, cook it for 3 whistles. After done, mash it with a masher.
• In a heavy bottomed vessel, add ghee, fry cashews and coconut flakes, keep this aside. To the same pan, add enough water, let it come to rolling boil, add powdered jaggery to it, after it get dissolved, add mashed moong dal, mix well. Cook it for 2 mins.
• Add 1/4 cup of  milk and cardamom to it. Cook it for another 2 -3 mins in a medium flame. After you get a thick consistency. Add fried cashews and coconut flakes to the hot payasam. Serve warm or refrigerate until chilled.
• Try this payasam and enjoy.

   Tips

• You can cook fully in milk instead of adding water.
• You can make payasam really rich by adding coconut milk.
• Add ghee fried coconut pieces in payasam for kerala touch.
• Add fried raisins or any nuts of your choice.
• If you are a sweet lover, increase the quantity of jaggery.

  Health Benefits of Yellow moong dal

• They are high in fiber and protein, and low in fat. Eating lentils and other foods that are rich in soluble dietary fiber can help decrease high cholesterol. 
• This dal is very good for pregnant ladies, kids and older people as it is easily digestible.